Daniel “Danny” Charles Parkin

June 21, 1978 –February 9, 2023

Posted

WHEATLAND – “Omigosh, there’s another one!” was the announcement that Danny Parkin was about to make his arrival into the world. While all available Torrington hospital staff were attending to his two older brothers-Donny, 16 minutes older, and Davey, eight minutes older, a young nurse’s aide was the first to notice that there was another baby coming also.

Daniel Charles Parkin was born at 1:32 a.m. on Wednesday, June 21, 1978, weighing seven pounds, five ounces, joining his brothers to become part of possibly the heaviest set of triplets born in the United States-all the more incredible since his parents were only expecting one new baby. Don and Patsy were overwhelmed and overjoyed that everyone was healthy. The boys were able to go home to Wheatland after only three days to join their other brother, Darren, age four, and sister, Dalee, age two. Life at the Parkin Place was loud and energetic and often challenging, but Danny thrived. His grin melted hearts even when he was caught doing something he shouldn’t be doing.

Being the “third on the lifeline,” as it’s sometimes called, presented some special challenges for Danny. He was slower to hit “developmental milestones,” in comparison to his two older brothers. His sense of balance was slightly impaired which made it harder for him to learn to walk and ride a bike, but that did not stop him. He practiced and practiced and experienced many falls on his bike before he was successful, but he was bound and determined to catch up with his brothers and he did. “Me do it myself!” was his common expression as he grew and learned. He was known by teachers in grade school for his dry wit, writing or saying things that bordered on inappropriate, but hilarious, such as his illustration of a “butt kicker” for a school project or quietly mentioning that some of his “weight-challenged” classmates were not very wind-resistant.

Under the patient and constant support of his father, Dan learned all about vehicles and motors and old tractors and farming. He worked hard in school and occasionally wound up in scuffles from perceived put-downs resulting in a couple of black eyes. One teacher secretly apologized for reporting him because “the other guy sure deserved it.” Dan graduated with the Wheatland High School class of 1997 (by the way, with a black eye).

Dan and his brothers moved to Cheyenne and entered the working world. Dan completed a semester at Laramie County Community College before life intervened and he wound up back in Wheatland. Dan’s dad was diagnosed Polycystic Kidney Disease which gradually began to affect his quality of life. Dan took over the tasks his dad had always done and for five years ferried him to Cheyenne three times a week for dialysis. When his father died in 2013, Dan stayed and made it possible for his mother to remain at her beloved home by doing all the essential – often mundane – tasks. He was a champion firewood provider, fabulous yard maintainer, great errand runner, good car mechanic and sympathetic cat nursemaid, along with hundreds of other tasks. Dan was a godsend to his aging parents and much appreciated by the entire family. He was such a special young man.

Dan was killed in a vehicle accident near Chugwater on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. He is survived by his mother; his brothers, Darren and Don; his sister, Dalee; his nieces and nephews, Hannah, Deegan, Avery, and Adalynn Parkin and Kian McIntosh.

Dan’s life was not measured by test scores or athletic ability or the drive for money, but by his willingness to center his life around helping those who needed him. He will be missed every day.

No funeral service will be held, but a Celebration of Life gathering will be planned soon.

The Gorman Funeral Homes – Platte Chapel of Wheatland, Wyoming is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com.